As the FBI investigation into her death on a Carnival cruise ship continues, Anna Kepner’s family remembered the Titutsville, Florida teen nicknamed “Anna Banana” as filling the world with “laughter, love, and light that reached everyone around her.”
Kepner, 18, died while traveling on the Carnival Horizon. The ship returned to Port Miami on Saturday morning, Nov. 8. Few details surrounding her death have been released.
The outgoing, adventurous teen lived every day with her whole heart, and was “thoughtful, nurturing, and always thinking of others,” the teen’s obituary reads.
“She was also incredibly determined and hardworking; reliable, responsible, and always willing to help.”
Who was Anna Kepner?
Kepner had obtained her boating license, was a certified scuba diver, and a member of the varsity cheer team at Titusville High School. She also attended Astronaut High School and finally Temple Christian School, where she was a senior.
She had plans to join the U.S. Navy after graduation in 2026 and become a K9 police officer.
Kepner loved sports, team spirit and the University of Georgia football team. According to her obituary, she dreamed of becoming a cheerleader for the Bulldogs.
She is survived by her parents, grandparents, seven siblings, aunts and uncles, and a large extended family.
Instead of sending or bringing flowers to the service, friends are encouraged to leave flowers on Kepner’s car at Temple Christian School.
On Nov. 10, students and administrators gathered in the school’s parking lot for a memorial around her white Kia, which had been covered in flowers and balloons.
When is Anna Kepner’s funeral?
A celebration of Kepner’s life will be held at 5 p.m., Nov. 20, at The Grove Church in Titusville.
“The family requests that no one wear black – casual attire is welcome, but please wear colors in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul. Her favorite color was blue,” the obituary states.
The family continues to ask for privacy to grieve and previously requested people to stop speculating online about how the teen died.
Kepner should be remembered with “laughter, color, sunshine, and love,” the family said.
“Because that’s exactly how she lived her life. She danced in the light she left behind and it will never fade.”
What happened to Anna Kepner? Florida Teen, 18, died on Carnival cruise ship
Anna Kepner, 18, of Titusville, died while traveling on the Carnival Horizon. The vessel returned to Port Miami on Nov. 8 following a Caribbean itinerary.
“The death of a guest on the Carnival Horizon voyage that returned to Port Miami on Saturday morning, Nov. 8, is under investigation by the FBI,” Carnival Cruise officials told FLORIDA TODAY in a statement
“Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest,” the statement added.
The FBI shares jurisdiction over maritime incidents with state law enforcement agencies.
The investigation into Kepner’s death is ongoing, with few details released.
Kepner’s body was taken to the Miami-Dade medical examiner’s office for an autopsy and turned over to North Brevard Funeral Home on Nov. 11.
A preliminary cause of death has not been disclosed and final autopsy results could take weeks, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Who was Anna Kepner traveling with?
It remains unclear whether Anna Kepner was traveling alone or accompanied.
Where was Anna Kepner found?
Kepner was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. The Horizon was on a Caribbean itinerary and returned to Port Miami on Nov. 8.
Where is Titusville, Florida?
Titusville is the county seat of Brevard County, Florida, and is located about 13 miles southeast of Kennedy Space Center and 24 miles southeast of Port Canaveral.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Family mourns, remembers Florida teen who died on Carnival cruise ship
Reporting by Kim Luciani and J.D. Gallop, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
